Tate, my 8 year old daughter, October 25
Daddy,
It is Tate writing you from bed. What are u doing right now? Can u send a photo of what u are doing when u get this message? I wonder what I will do tomorrow. I wonder what u will do tomorrow. I wonder about a lot of things. I want u to put a note in a bottle and send it out to sea. I wonder what the sea looks like right now. I hope u are saying goodnight because I am. Love, Tate. Miss u a lot.
My Reply to Tate, October 26
Hi Tate,
I got your message last night. Thank you for the note. I think of you too a whole lot and miss you. I can’t wait to see you in Africa in 3 weeks or less. Everything out here on the ocean is fine. The boat is doing great and out here. She is sort of my only friend so I talk to her sometimes. I know it sounds weird but it helps me not be lonely. I was telling her that we were going to have a family slumber party on her in Cape Town. She then started going really fast like she liked the idea and could understand me. I think she also likes to show off a little because whenever she knows the race people are watching how fast we are going, she goes a little faster than the rest of the time. Another crazy girl in my life, like you and your mommy weren’t enough! I sent you a photo of me with the ocean behind for you to see, like you wanted. I took it right when I got your note in the very early morning.
Of course I can leave a message in a bottle for you. You have to think about what you want the message to say and let me know. If you want I could leave it right at the equator and then if someone finds it and contacts you, then you will know whether it went into the southern hemisphere or the northern hemisphere. Maybe your mommy can show you what I mean on a map or globe.
I promise I’ll keep thinking of you lots especially when I am going to sleep. You do the same, okay!
I love you very much,
Daddy
Looks like you need some sleep. Of course you can't with Gutek "The terminator" on your heels...
ReplyDeleteIt's a great race to follow here from land. I wish you and your family a happy slumber party! Capetown is wonderful. Take a few days with the family in Stellenbosch.
Hajo Smulders
Hello Brad, Tate and Wyatt,
ReplyDeleteYou've made this an exciting race Brad. My only concern at this point is that I think my chances of finding your message to Tate in your bottle is poor considering I am on the Great Lakes...but never say never. The ocean is not that far away.
Here's hoping TATE....I am the one to find it!
All the best to you Brad. Keep talking to HER and I hope you find good air.
john on the shores of the Bay of Quinte (east of Toronto)
Thanks for sharing Tate's letter. . Awesome to follow this experience through you as well as the kids. I know they help inspire you. Also, good to hear the boat is being a great companion.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it Brad - leaving small children back on land is harder than the actual sailing, for me anyway. Hard to believe Tate is so grown up - she was just a tiny bundle of fun the last time you lapped the planet.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Brad! Pulling for you in Atlanta!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Hotshot, you are a great Dad, and a greater son. I am following your every move, as well as entered in the Virtual Regada (as you know - "Jeffee Faloo"). I sould have taken your advice and gone West. I am now on the West Cost of Africa doing 7 knts (wish I was where you are).
ReplyDeleteFight the good fight Amigo.
Grump
Hey Brad,
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty cool exchange with your kids Buddy. Go fast and stay safe.
This is lovely Brad. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am wishing you a great trip. I can only imagine how different it must be now that you are a father. It seems only the other day that I first followed your grumpy ramblings on Balance Bar. Great to finally meet you back in Bayona in 2002! Seems like the other day too :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best amigo.
ricardo
What a sweet, mushy, sensitive, genuine, loving exchange between papa and his bambina...what are you Italiano/Siciliano....Columbus, Vespucci, Caboto...all great sailors....oh yea, and Van Liew...sail on sailor...buon viaggio!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up. Those of us helplessly stuck in mortgage, job, and other obligations are living vicariously with you. You keep our dreams alive, and I promise to follow in your footsteps across the oceans before I get too old.
ReplyDeleteFair and fast winds, be safe.
Johannes
Regards your "message in a bottle".....
ReplyDeleteBrad....I thought you and Tate and your followers mind like to read this article published yesterday in The Toronto Star newspaper. Two years after dropping bottles from a supply vessel off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland they were notified of a bottle found in England and a week later one found in Scotland. It may seem like an unlikely 3500 kilometre journey for a bottle to make...but it did happen. Good luck.
Here is the link: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/887168--message-in-a-bottle-travels-across-the-atlantic
john, Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario